The Precinct Chair is a publicly elected or appointed official. The Precinct Chair will serve for a two-year term.
Precinct Chairs must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be registered to vote in their precinct
- Vote in the Democratic Primary and County Convention
- Not vote in the Republican Party or other party races
- Not endorse another party candidate when a Democrat is in the race
Precinct Chairs help carry out the party mission by delivering the Texas Democratic Party and its local affiliate’s message to individual voters using the following methods and strategies:
- Establish a precinct team of community leaders
- Establish realistic political goals for the precinct
- Establish precinct communication plan (social media, Group Me, WhatsApp, call lists, newsletter, etc.)
- Establish and preside over precinct meetings
- Invite elected officials, candidates, and community leaders to participate in precinct activities
- Facilitate voter registration and absentee ballot access
- Lead “Get Out the Vote” outreach efforts
- Distribute campaign and party literature/materials
- Listen and respond to voter concerns
- Organize support or opposition on legislation or issues
Precinct Chairs should become familiar with their precinct’s resources; utilize the Voter Activation Network (VAN) to help access and communicate with voters; recruit election judges, election clerks, poll watchers, and poll workers; get voters to the polls to support Democratic national, state and local candidates; and attend precinct and/ or county conventions.
Precinct Chairs serve as a member of the County Executive Committee (CEC) which is the governing body of the Texas Democratic Party’s local affiliate. They are required to attend regular meetings of the CEC to conduct the business of the party.
At these meetings, Precinct Chairs will:
- Canvass the results of relevant elections
- Confirm appointments to precinct chair vacancies
- Share and learn about issues and legislation
- Vote for or against endorsements and party resolutions
- Plans the party’s election year campaigns
Precinct Chairs may also choose to serve on a variety of committees, teams, task forces, and coordinated campaigns.
We encourage Precinct Chairs to become a sustainable donor. We also ask that Precinct Chairs demonstrate willingness to learn and follow the rules and procedures of the Texas Democratic Party and its local affiliate.